Never Let Go (The Fog)

Summary:

(Previously The Fog) My heart stopped, the world stopped, and then in a rush it flooded back. My mind buzzed with thoughts as I ran as fast as I could, knowing I was too late. I could smell it too now. My nostrils flared and my knees buckled underneath me, an all too human feeling. My breathing coming in frantic sobs, I finally made it. I threw myself at the heat, like a sacrifice on the altar. I roared against the flames against the voice in my head. But the velvet couldn’t be drowned out, “Bella, What if I can’t save you? What if I’m the super-hero and the bad guy?” I screeched in defiance at the flames. My body wouldn’t stand the inferno much longer, but I didn’t leave. Then I saw it, my proof, and I finally allowed the strong cool hands to pull me from the fire. After the wedding and Bella’s change Edward and Isabella are looking forward to their happily-ever-after, forever. But fate doesn’t like to be predictable. Full of never ending questions, intense suspense, and drama The Fog definitely questions the picture-perfectness of Breaking Dawn. "I love it!" "This is a fantastic story..." "intense" "well written..." “I’m waiting for an update on the edge of my chair!”

Notes:
enjoy. the begining is a little slow but it picks up well, or so i'm told! i would love constructive reviews!

7. Keep Moving

I awoke to the feeling of my stomach leaving my body, and landing on the floor. That’s unusual. Then I figured it out; we were landing. I hadn’t been sleeping on the couch for very long. Most of the trip home had been spent laying on the couch trying to piece together any clues as to what had caused the emergency departure as well as how it had escalated into the first actual fight between Edward and I. Despite my efforts, I came up blank and decided to let the cards fall where they may. And that’s when I had fallen asleep.

The jet hit the ground with a gentle bounce and then leveled out before rolling to a stop. I didn’t know what to do. Should I get out and head home? There was one big problem with that idea. I didn’t know where we were or how to get home. Maybe I should wait and try to fix things with Edward. No, for some reason I wanted to avoid anymore conflict. I wanted to let him be, and then talk to him later when whatever was bothering him, the thing that had driven us apart, had dissipated or disappeared altogether.

Suddenly, the decision was no longer mine to make when Edward opened the door from the cockpit and walked over to me. He had already caught my gaze; I couldn’t just stand up and walk away. I sat up on the couch, not speaking a word as Edward sat down beside me.

"Isabella Cullen, are we done fighting now, love?" His voice lilted, and it was worse than puppy dog eyes. I knew he was sorry by the way he said the words. He turned to me then and settled his palm against my cheek. The cursed tears started spilling out of my eyes again as I nodded my head.

"I know this may come as a shock to you, but I overreacted," he joked, trying desperately to lighten the mood. "I panicked; I was so worried, and confused. I didn’t know what to say. I’m sorry."

His eyes were as soft as butter and I could feel them melting me. He was dazzling me again; even if he didn't mean to. Taking my silence as a prompting he continued. "Do you forgive me then, love? I just lost it. All I could think of was getting out of there. I should have just killed him, but it would have upset you."

Isabella, what the hell were you thinking...? No, what was I thinking!" he muttered. "I should never have let him get that close to you."

"What!Edward, what do you mean? Is this over Hymn? The man helped me find scarves for Esme, Rosalie, and Alice, for cryin’ out loud!"

Edward’s deep voice rumbled and the words came out as growls. "You think this is over jealousy?" Edward scoffed. "The man isn’t a man at all, Bella. He’s a vampire. I thought you would’ve noticed that.

"Oh," I breathed. That made sense. All at once I could see that very clearly. How easily he had flustered me, his cool skin and stark complection. How beautiful he was. "Ok, I see."

"No, you don't. There was no Madame Ermont’s Ice Cream! It was a ploy used to lead you away from the public enough to take you away. He had been following us for days and I didn’t know if he was simple-minded or just very good at blocking me out, but all I could read was this overwhelming desire to talk to you. Bella, he was the only one I could smell around. I had planned on watching you from a distance, but he would only came closer when I backed away. I don’t know how it happened really. Eventually I was back too far and there were others vampires there, and they…detained me…for awhile. When I caught up to you I was almost too late. I heard him thinking that you were nearly there. On impulse I decided to act normal I didn't want him to think I realized everything that was happening... He was going to accomplish his goal, he wanted to take you away...

Almost. I almost let you go." The pain in his voice was evident and it made me realize that he really did view taking care of me as his job, and he had nearly failed.

"Edward, you didn’t lose me. You’ll never lose me. See, I’m here." I said, wrapping my arms around him. Edward leaned into me and nestled his head in my hair, breathing in my scent. His arms wrapped around me too, and at first he held me so tight that it felt like I was wearing a blood pressure cuff on my whole upper half but then he realized what he was doing and loosened his grip. "Who was he? Why me?" I asked.

Edward shook his head vehemently. "I don’t know. I thought he was only curious so I decided to make him lay out his cards by letting him get close to you. I never thought that I wouldn’t be there to protect you if something went wrong, love. I’m so sorry."

"It’s okay. It’s over now. I want to go home." I said, half-heartedly going over what my fate might have been if Edward hadn't been there...

After a minuet Edward leaned back with a grin on his face. "Shall we run, sweetheart?"

I laughed, "yes. Maybe this will be my last time."

Edward’s eyes flickered. "You just had to remind me," he drolled. "I think I will carry you even after the change. It’s fun running with you on my back."

It was fun. I remembered how running with Edward had almost made me sick at first, but it didn't anymore. The farther we went the more I recognized the forest. The forest that had both capulated me and frightened me for so long.

We were very near at the Cullen house. When we finally did reach it I wasn't suprised to see everyone on the front porch to greet us.

"She didn't fall off the eiffel tower!" Emmett grinned, swooping me up into his arms and giving me a huge hug.

"As if I would let her," Edward responded. Then Alice jumped off the porch and skipped up to me. Pecking me on the cheek she laughed, "have fun?"

"Don't you know?" I joked. She just smiled and stepped over to Edward to hug him aswell. Esme and Carslisle were next and both wore identical warm, loving smiles. It was good to be home.

"We missed you two." Esme said wrapping both of us in her slender arms and kissing us on the cheek.

"Yes, it hasn't been quite the same." Carslisle said.

We skipped over all of the what did you dos and did you have funs because Alice had already given the Cullens a run down. Sharing all of the adventurous times and big highlights before we arrived.

"Did you like Rome, Bella." Rosalie asked.

"Yes, it's one of my favorites." We smiled at each other.

"It's nice to have you home...sis." Jasper smiled, winking from the porch. I would have ran to him and given him a big new-sister hug but I didn't want to strain him anymore than needed. Jasper hadn't been around me lately and since we were now graduated he probably hadn't been around any humans since the wedding.

"I'll get your bags." Emmett offered.

"No. I left them in the plane and I parked it north from here about 20 miles, we can go get them later. We need to talk." Edward said, bringing up the rear as he ushered everyone inside.

EDWARD CULLEN

Alice had already filled everyone in as much as she could, and for that I was grateful. I didn't have the energy to deal with another coven going after Bella. Why couldn't they just leave us alone?

Frustrated I shoved my hands through my hair and stood as Carslisle asked yet another question. All of them had skirted around two questions. Who was he and why Bella? They most basic of questions, but I only had half answers for them.

"Carslisle, I've told you everything I know." Well, almost everything, I added in my head. I glanced over at Bella, she sat in the middle of everyone on the large white couch across from me.

I was wrapped around her pretty little finger; I would do anything for her. I wasn't going to worry her unless I needed to. She deserved to be happy, besides maybe this whole thing would blow over. She'd be less interesting to curious vampires after the change, planned for only a couple of days away.

We didn't need the change to protect her. We could leave. Out of sight and out of mind. Where even the Volturri wouldn't be able to find us, but Bella wouldn't have that. I couldn't convince her of living out her life. She wanted to be damned for eternity. She wanted it. She could be as stubborn and narrow-minded as a-a

"Edward do we need to talk about this later?" Carslisle raised his eyebrows in question. I nodded discretly before sending a pointed glance at Bella's distressed form. "Okay. The boys and I will going hunting with you tonight."

"Your not leaving me out of this!" Alice warned, but I ignored her. She would be able to see through her visions anyways.

"His name was Hymn, or that's what he told Bella. I believe he was only curious in why she was living with me for so long, he had been following us for a day or two." I said aloud, appeasing everyone and wrapping up the meeting simultaneously.

Alice nodded, understanding. The she changed the subject to something more lively, but I wasn't listening. I watched Bella nod and smile at Emmett. Alice leaned over and poked Jasper playfully, and then everyone erupted into laughter. Alice stood up and pulled Bella up after her. Rosalie, Emmett, Jasper, Carslisle, and Esme followed all raceing torwards the kitchen door leading to the back yard.

I watched Bella follow, but as she passed she stopped and stood beside me. Reaching down she grabbed my hand and squeezed softly then raised up on her tippy-toes to plant a kiss on my lips. "Won't you come with us?" she asked.

"Where are you going?"

"Edward, It's storming outside, they're going to play football and teach me how. Emmett called dibs on me for his team next week. Alice says it will storm then too and I will be strong enough to play with you guys."

"I'll still be able to win, even with your newborn's strength. You better pay attention, I'm not going to let you make excuses about not knowing how to play." Edward said with a sly smile.

"Psh. You just wait and see." I responded, not able to keep the grin off my face.